Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 2, 1 February 1993 — Centennial message from OHA's Chairman: [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Centennial message from OHA's Chairman:

E nā kūpuna, e alaka'i 'ia ia mākou. E nā mākua a me nā mamo e pili mai i keia ho'ākoakoa e ho'oikaika. 'Ano'ai me ke

aloha. We are here today to observe the 100th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian nation. The thousands of us prove that the Hawaiian nation has not been forgotten. You are proof to all of

Hawai'i, indeed, to the world, that the Hawaiian nation shall be restored! Our lands were stolen, our language forbidden, our customs and traditions suppressed. ... but the soul of our people cannot be extinguished. One hundred years ago we were not an isolated people but a nation among nations. The Hawaiian nation had treaties with all of the world's powers. Japan, Great Britain, the German Empire, Russia, Spain, Argentina and the United States were only some of the countries that recognized our sovereignty. The Hawaiian nation had diplomats stationed in nearly 100 countries around the world. King Kalākaua was the first head of a nation to circle the world! Yet, today there are still some who question our right to soverelgnty. They would have us forget that we were a sovereign nation for over 115 years before the illegal overthrow! They would have us forget that President Grover Cleveland, after investigating the overthrow of our nation, concluded we were robbed of our sovereignty by a misuse of the name and power of the United States, and that the United States should restore its honor by making a sincere effort to make all possible reparation to the Kingdom of Hawai'i.

But, President Cleveland's words fell on deaf ears. Nā Kānaka have waited for justice for 100 years. Meanwhile, over 300 Native American tribes have obtained land and sovereignty. Yet, Nā Kānaka still wait for justice. Why? Are we too few? 'A'ole! We are the largest indigenous group of people in the United States! Mueh has been said by many about the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian nation. But few have said mueh about lts restoration. enough to talk about paln and healing? 'A'ole! Is it enough to talk about rlghting wrongs? Aole! Is it enough to talk about compensation and injustice? It is not enough! We must do more than gather, more than talk. We must not let

the year 1994 be like the last one hundred. But let us not be misled. The road ahead will be difficult. j| Misunderstanding and mistrust will

be our enemles. Even now, even here. Look at the royal flag flying over the palaee. I ... tomorrow it will eome down. Yet there are some who are upset that the American flag is not flying. I ask for their understanding. I ask them to try to understand how we

Hawaiians felt when our flag was taken down, not for four days but for 100 hundred years. But let us not be diverted from the task ahead. The flying of the "Let us move forward in one heart, strengthened by unity."

Hawailan flag, although deeply symbolic, is still only symbolic. Our goal is land and sovereignty. To put Hawaiian lands in Hawaiian lands! Return Mauna 'Ala, the Royal Mausoleum, the fxnal resting plaee of our ali'i to us. Return Washington Plaee, the home of our Mō'ī Wahine Lili'uokalani to us. Return these grounds and 'Iolani Palaee to us. Regaining our lands and sovereignty will not be easy. We Hawaiians cannot do this alone. It will take the understanding and trust of all citizens of Hawai'i. Whether related by blood we are all linked together at this time, in this plaee - ko kākou 'āina aloha, Hawai'i (our beloved land). E lanakila kākou. I ho'okahi pu'uwai me ka lōkahi. Let us move forward in one heart, strengthened by unity. I ask that the entire community plaee its trust in one another and fund a Hawaiian Constitutional Convention. We cannot wait for Congress. Rather, we must forge ahead. I will ask that Governor Waihe'e assist us in this effort. I will ask the business community to support us. With the help of the entire community we ean show the U.S. Congress and President Clinton that all Hawai'i, not just Hawaiians, supports our efforts. Remember the legacy of our Queen. Remember her love for her people, her respect for the law, her belief in justice, her dedication. 'Onipa'a. Stand firm. When they ask why you eame today, after 100 years, you will tell them, as I will ... No ka mea, he Hawai'i au - a mau a mau. (Because I am Hawaiian, forever and ever.)

Clayton H.W. Hee